By TAIYE AGBAJE

The Attorneys-General and Commissioners for Justice of the 36 states have called on parties in the dispute rocking the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to exercise restraint.

The body made the call in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Ben Uruchi-Odoh, and Secretary, Senior Ibrahim-Sulyman, and made available to newsmen on Friday in Abuja after their meeting.

“The Body of States Attorneys-General held its meeting during which it deliberated on recent developments relating to the leadership crisis within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).”

The body said it carefully considered the issues and their potential implications for the legal profession and the administration of justice in Nigeria.

“The body calls for calm and urges all parties to the dispute, members of the legal profession, and other stakeholders to refrain from making further public comments capable of escalating the situation while efforts are underway to resolve the matter through the appropriate institutional mechanisms.

“In line with the earlier directives of the court, the body urges all parties to embrace dialogue and pursue an amicable resolution of the dispute in the interest of the unity, dignity and integrity of the Nigerian Bar Association.”

They also called for the urgent convening of an emergency meeting of the General Council of the Bar.

According to them, the General Council is the statutory body established under Section 1(1) of the Legal Practitioners Act, Cap. L11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The body said it has the responsibility for the management of the affairs of NBA and to facilitate the amicable resolution of the issues giving rise to the present leadership crisis.

“The body reaffirms its relentless commitment to the rule of law, the independence of the legal profession, and the preservation of the unity and institutional integrity of the Nigerian Bar Association.

“It expresses confidence that the issues in dispute can be resolved through constructive engagement, mutual respect, and adherence to the law,” they concluded. (NAN)

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